JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARSON INVESTIGATORS, INC.

Winter2021 • Volume 71 • Issue 3

What’s Inside:

Enhancing Fire Scene Investigations Through New Technologies

Results of the Florida Serial Fire Event StudyTHE PROBLEM OF ARSONElections 2021 Candidates for IAAI and Foundation Board of Directors

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28 www.firearson.com Fire&Arson Investigator WINTER2021

Enhancing Fire Scene Investigations Through New Technologies

Abstract: The application and limitations of field-portable Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) to fire investigations was the focus of this project. Today's fieldportable GC/MS systems were found to provide lab-quality data for volatile hydrocarbons but the interpretation of that data proved challenging for field operators. On-line access to lab experts is essential. Scene investigators felt that data generated at the fire scene is useful, especially for public agencies who often must wait months before receiving lab results. Scene sampling using SPME has proven problematic due to the over-saturation of the sensitive SPME fibers and their rapid loss of adsorbed compounds. Sampling at ambient temperatures limits the range of identifiable.products. Evidence sampling is enhanced with the use of sensitive PIDs (photoionization detectors). as a supplement to canine searches.

Enhancing Fire Scene Investigations Through New Technologies

Introduction

Fire investigators rely on detection and lab analysis of samples (typically burned debris) to reveal the presence and identity of ignitable liquids as evidence of the incendiary nature of the fire. For many years fire investigators relied on their own sense of smell to detect possible accelerants in fire debris. With the realization of the health hazards involved, investigators used a variety of hydrocarbon detectors. Combustible Gas Detectors (CGD) using a sampling pump and a heated-wire sensor were very popular and worked well but could be overwhelmed if exposed to very high concentrations of flammable vapors and had numerous interferences. Solid-state detectors offer fail-safe use but have no pumps and must rely on vapors drifting into contact with the sensor and then dissipating, resulting in slow, stop-and-start searching.

The ppbRAE 3000® detector used in these tests is a photoionization detector (PID) with a continuous pump drawing air through the sensor and back out again. (See Figure 1). It will be described in full in a later section. The sensitivity of the ppbRAE 3000® used here can measure hydrocarbons down to a few parts per billion (ppb).[1] This is contrasted with the lower detection limit for other “sniffers” on the order of a few parts per million (ppm), or the normal human nose with a threshold for gasoline of around 1 ppm. [2] For reference, the estimated threshold for trained, certified accelerant detection canines is on the order of 20 ppb (parts per billion). [Unpublished data from tests at fireK9.org testing February 2019 by authors.] With its small sample volume and fast pump, the ppbRAE® clears quickly, making rapid searches of a room possible.

Canine detection teams have been in use by fire investigators since they were introduced in the late 1980’s. They have tremendous sensitivity, coupled with great speed in

This project, from its outset in 2013, has been to assess the feasibility of employing GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) at fire scenes to identify possible accelerants with sufficient accuracy to allow the investigator to further the investigation (search warrants, interviews, etc.) based on reliable lab results. This study involved the use of several different field-portable GC/MS systems designed for HazMat/WMD responses, some of which have been reported on previously. The project phase reported here had two objectives. The first was to analyze and compare GC/MS data from both field and bench GC/MS analyses of debris from live fire tests and from 15-30 fire scenes where ignitable liquids were suspected. In concert with canine searches and advanced technology hydrocarbon detectors (sniffers), evidentiary samples were taken, field-tested, and sent to an accredited fire debris lab. Second, once the quality of data was assured, investigators evaluated the impact on decision making and fire investigation outcomes from obtaining reliable GC/MS data at the fire scene. These evaluations were not intended to replace canines, “sniffers”, or accredited lab analysis for judicial processes, but to improve the information investigators could use while still at the scene.

Figure 1. Rae Systems ppbRAE 3000® Portable PID. (Photo credit Rae Systems®).

By John David DeHaan, Ph.D.

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2021 IAAI CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS AMENDMENT PROPOSALS(Proposed language in Red, language to be deleted in strikeout)

Proposed # 2020-01 (to revise and amend Article IV Sections 1-11)

ARTICLE IV - GOVERNMENT

Section 1. Board of Directors. The Government of this Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors, consisting of the President, the First Vice President, the Second Vice President, Immediate Past President and (12) elected Directors. Nine members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2. Duties and Powers. The Board shall have full power to initiate and transact all kinds of business necessary to the existence of the Association and the observances of its purposes. The board shall determine the date and location of the annual meeting and shall outline the program of activities during such meeting. They shall have general powers to direct, control, and supervise the affairs of the Association. The Board shall appoint an Executive Director, Editor, Assistant Editor, and Legal Counsel, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. All officers of the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. are expected to encourage, aid, and assist in every way possible in the development and activities of Chapters.

Section 3. The Executive Team shall consist of the President, Vice Presidents and the Immediate Past President.

Section 4. President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association, and it shall be his/her responsibility to supervise and coordinate the activities of the Association with the Executive Team.

A. The President shall preside at meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors.

B. He/she shall appoint appropriate committees for the conduct of the activities of the Association with the consensus of the Executive Team, and in addition, he/she shall require reports at each Annual General Meeting and as otherwise desired from the committees so appointed and from the officers of the Association.

C. At each Annual General Meeting of the Association, he/she shall announce to the membership those individuals appointed to serve on the Nominating Committee. In addition, he/she shall require reports at each Annual

General Meeting, and as otherwise desired from the committees so appointed and from the officers of Association.

D. The President may appoint a task group, work group or team to develop, review or provide recommendations for special projects or initiatives for the good of the Association. Such task group, work group, or team shall operate for a period not to exceed 180 days. The President may extend the group or team for an additional 90 days (for a maximum of two extensions) upon written request from the group or team lead with the consensus of the Executive Team.

E. The President shall appoint the Sergeant-at-Arms, and perform other duties as listed in the Standard Operating Procedure for the office of President.

F. At the Annual General Meeting of the Association, he/she may call upon a designated representative of all chapters to report to the membership regarding the activities of the chapter during the past year. The President of the Association shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors of all chapters.

A. The Executive Team shall consist of the President, Vice Presidents and the immediate Past President.

Section 4 5. First Vice President. In the absence of the President, the First Vice President shall be the Chief Executive Officer and shall act as such. He/she shall perform liaison with committees as required, and shall also be a member of the Budget and Finance Committee. The First Vice President shall participate in the Executive Team, and perform other duties as listed in the Standard Operating Procedure for the office of First Vice President.

Section 5 6. Second Vice President. In the absence of the President and First Vice President, the Second Vice President shall perform the duties of the President. The Second Vice President shall serve as liaison with committees for Board reports and assistance, and shall also be a member of the Budget and Finance Committee. The Second Vice President shall assist the President and First Vice President as required, participate in the Executive Team and perform other duties as listed in the Standard Operating Procedure for the office of Second Vice President.

The IAAI Board of Directors congratulates the Constitution and By-Laws Committee for changing their Policies and Procedures to allow for public comments to be posted prior to the opening of the ballot. This positive change in the procedure for posting of proposed changes to our Constitution and allowing for an open public comment period is welcomed.

The Board of Directors met on January 9th, 2021 during a regularly scheduled Board meeting, during which a review of the two proposed amendments was an agenda item. After a discussion and debate on the merits of the proposed amendments, the Board voted to oppose both proposed constitutional changes. The Board believes these two proposed amendments would inhibit the ability of the Board and the office of the President to effectively conduct the business of the IAAI, as the elected representatives of the membership. The purpose of the Constitution is to provide the Association with a framework by which to operate, not manage the operations. The only committees mandated by the constitution are found in Article V “Committees”. Other than these eleven Standing Committees, all other committees or task groups are appointed by the President. Any committee or task group not reappointed by the new President, ceases to exist. The purpose of a Task Group is to research a specific issue at the direction of the Board. The makeup of the Task Group should be based on the issue to beaddressed and not restricted because a member serves on other committees or Task Groups. The President and the Board should have the freedom to appoint the people to a Task Group that are best suited to address the issue at hand. Placing restrictions on who can be appointed and for how long a Task Group can be in place would inhibit the ability of the leadership to effectively conduct the work of the association. It is therefore the position of the Board of Directors that these proposed Constitutional changes are not passed.

To review all proposals received, please visit our website homepage at www.firearson.com under News.

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It's time to vote. Voting starts on February 23. Election to be held at ITC 2021.

Candidate for IAAI Second Vice President

Candidates for IAAI Board of Directors

ELECTION 2021

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF THE IAAI? Since 3/31/1994HOW MANY ANNUAL MEETINGS HAVE YOU ATTENDED; WHICH YEARS? 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

WHAT IAAI COMMITTEES HAVE YOU SERVED ON; WHICH YEARS? Editorial Review Board Chairman, 2015- presentCFITrainer Committee Co-Chair, 2019 - presentDO YOU REGULARLY ATTEND YOUR STATE/PROVINCIAL

CHAPTER MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES? YesOFFICES HELD STATE/PROVINCE CHAPTER? Iowa Chapter Director, 2nd VP, 1st VP, PresidentPLEASE LIST ANY INTERNATIONAL OFFICES HELD, SPECIAL PROJECTS OR COMMITTEE WORK, INDICATING YEARS OF SERVICE. Board of Director since 2015, Editorial Review Board Chair since 2015, CFITrainer Co-Chair since 2019DESCRIBE, IN 100 WORDS OR LESS, WHY YOU FEEL YOU ARE QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION: I have been on the Board of Directors since 2015 and I have attended 14 ITCs over the years. I was the Iowa Chapter President after many years as a Director. I was subsequently awarded a Lifetime Membership Award by the Iowa Chapter. I am the Chair of the Editorial Review Board committee and the Co-Chair of the CFITrainer Committee, a IAAI CFI and a retired ATF CFI. I continue to work fire scenes as well as perform contract instructor duties for ATF.WHY DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER OF THE IAAI? After spending two terms as a Director, I wish to continue in my service to the members as their representative so that I can continue to move the Association forward.WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE YOUR BEST LEADERSHIP TRAITS, AND HOW WOULD YOU USE THEM AS A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER OF THE IAAI? I believe that I can build consensus in the board room. When decisions are made, whether my position or not, we should move forward as a Board. I tend to be methodical in that I believe the Board should move in a deliberate path and at a pace that is most efficient for progressing the interests of the membership. I would also strive for professional, constructive discussions so that the best interest of the members can be represented.WHAT STEPS DO YOU BELIEVE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO GROW MEMBERSHIP? I believe that we should work towards enhancing the benefits of membership and be better at promoting our Association.

HOW WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE INTERNATIONAL AND CHAPTERS? I believe that the relationships with our Chapters have improved, but that we need to continue our efforts in that area. We need to ensure that the Chapter liaisons are effective and have good relationships with their respective Chapters. We need to continue with our Chapters Presidents conference calls and listen to and bring the Chapter President’s concerns to the Board for consideration.WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE FUNDING OF CFITRAINER.NET? The Board has had lengthy discussions on this topic. The general consensus is that we should use a two prong approach. One would be to actively seek donations or contributions from members/users and private industry. Part two would be some form of user fee. This portion is complex in that we have many different types of users, from individuals to Universities. I believe we could structure a minimal yearly fee for individuals, if we had to, and work out financial agreements with Colleges, Universities and Agencies that use our training platform.OTHER THAN TRAINING FIRE INVESTIGATORS, WHAT TWO OR THREE OTHER ELEMENTS DO YOU CONSIDER AS CRITICAL TO THE MISSION OF THE IAAI? In conjunction with training fire investigators, the IAAI needs to promote and advance the profession of fire and explosion investigations. Therefore, we need to stay up to date on the latest research, science and legal issues related to our profession. The IAAI needs to promote, encourage and when possible, participate in research and testing. Due to our lack of physical testing capabilities, we need to partner and/or participate as much as possible.This dovetails into a second part of what we can do as an organization. The IAAI should strive to be the conduit of all the most current and relevant information as possible to our membership. As a global organization of over 10,000 members, if we provide as much information as possible to our members, this can be the method for promoting our profession worldwide. The information we provide should be current and as accurate as possible, all the while keeping in mind that not everyone will agree with the information presented. Our members should have as much information as possible and then they will need to form their own opinion as to the value. We currently have an ideal method of conveying this information to our membership through the Fire and Arson Investigator Journal.

Chris VanVleet(IA)

Candidate for IAAI Second Vice President

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Results of the

Florida Serial

Fire Event Study

By, Thomas Riley Hall, Ph.D.

ABSTRACT

Hidden within the routine respo

nses of fire departments

are possible multiple fires set b

y individuals in a small

area. An examination of cluste

rs was accomplished by

reviewing the National Fire Inci

dent Reporting System

(NFIRS) reports from the Florid

a State Fire Marshal’s

Division and the Augmented Cr

iminal Information Support

System (ACISS) reports provid

ed by the Florida Division

of Investigative and Forensic S

ervices from 1996 to 2018.

The results of the Florida Serial

Fire Event Study found

that the spatial density of a clu

ster and to a lesser extent

the distance between fires wer

e significant predictors of a

serial incendiary event. The en

tire study may be found at

https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_

etd/225/

THE PROBLEM OF A

RSON. Approximately 8% of fires in

the United States may be arson

, and

intentionally set fires are the fou

rth leading cause of structure fir

es in the United States [1]. Som

etimes

overlooked are other fires in the

vicinity which may be part of a l

arger event. Fires that occur with

in a

small geographic area are know

n as fire clusters. The clusters m

ay be developing or continuing

at a rate not readily

apparent because they are hidd

en in the much more frequent d

ay-to-day routine events requiri

ng the response of fire

departments. However, these c

lusters represent the signature a

ctions of serial firesetters. These

offenders comprise

one of the least understood crim

inal categories yet are responsib

le for property damage and othe

r crimes far beyond

that of other types of offenders

and require far more investigative

effort [2] [3] [4].

Clusters of fires represent the m

ost prevalent and unique signatu

res of a serial arsonist. Once th

ese disparate fires are

recognized and presented to th

e investigator, showing that they

are grouped in a meaningful m

anner, they represent

clarion events. In this light, the l

ittle fires preceding the recognit

ion of an arson cluster become

important.

Arsons occur at a rate that is lik

ely underreported in the availabl

e statistics [5]. Portions of these

arsons are found in

the clusters of fires, which are a

lso occurring and are reported,

but with insufficient data to sep

arate accidental from

intentional fires. Using 20 years

of statewide fire reports, an exa

mination of archival data from th

ese mandatory reports

was used to attempt to unpack fi

re event records to see if there w

ere any common occurrences r

ecorded outside of

the fire itself.

FIRES IN FLORIDA

The premise of the study

is that serial arsonists do

not erupt and suddenly

appear in a neighborhood.

Rather, there may be a

discernable and logical

progression before clusters

become apparent. One

of the goals of the Florida

Serial Fire Event Study was

to examine fire clusters in a

spatial context.

Within Florida, in 2015

there were 49,107 reported

fires [6]. Approximately

8.27% of these fires

are known to be arson,

with an additional

15.1% undetermined

(Table 1). Within the fire

investigation community,

an undetermined fire is

an unfortunate fact and is

not necessarily rare. What

it portends is a gap in

information regarding the

classification of fires, which

are either accidental or

intentional. By implication,

the arson rate in Florida

Table 1

Comparison of fires in the United Sta

tes and Florida, 2015

________________________________

________________________________

________

National

Florida

All Fires 1,345,500

49,107

Arson 23,000 (EST) [1.71

%] 4,061 [8.27%]

Undetermined NA

7,414 [15.1%]

Table 2

Comparison of fires in the United Sta

tes as reported by Fire Agencies and

Law

Enforcement Agencies, 2015

________________________________

________________________________

_____

National Florida

All Fires 1,345,500

49,107

Arson 23,000 (EST) [1.71

%] 4,061 [8.27%]

Undetermined NA

7,414 [15.1%]

Law Enforcement 39,174 [2.9%]

285 [.6%] Note 1

Note 1: Florida law

enforcement arson numbers are based

on arrest data compiled by the Florida

Department of Law Enforcement. Crim

e in Florida, 2015.

Table

Click here to access/download;Table;

Tables.docx

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IAAI Fire Investigation Standards Committee (FISC) by Terry Dawn Hewitt, Esq., Chair

FISCBulletin BoardBulletin Board"Tell Me Something I Don't Know" about NFPA 921, 2021 Edition

1. Introduction1Given the importance of the NFPA 921 Guide to Fire and Explosion Investigations to IAAI members, we trust that our readers are acquainting themselves with the new edition. Rather than listing the changes from the 2017 to the 2021 edition, even in a summary fashion, we thought it beneficial to highlight a few of the 2021 edition revisions that in our opinion are noteworthy. We will consider our effort successful if in reading this article, you learn something you did not know but find informative about NFPA 921's latest edition.The 2021 edition of NFPA 921 has been in effect since April 25, 2020. Since then, a Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) has been issued to make important corrections in the 2021 edition.2 NFPA 921, 2021 ed., together with details of the TIA, are available on the NFPA 921 Document Information Page.3If you want to track all of the changes between the two editions,

you can study the revision history by reviewing the First Draft Report and Second Draft Report leading up to the 2021 edition. These reports are available on the NFPA 921 Document Information Page, "Current and Prior Editions" tab.4 Note that first and second drafts are presented to the public as part of the document revision process, and hold no weight as authoritative text. Excerpts from these drafts are presented here to give the reader a perspective on the process and rationale for the changes. Trainings such as those available on the IAAI website5 or at the IAAI International Training Conference in Atlantic City April 18-23, 20216 are also great ways to learn about the 2021 edition.Not all revisions are of equal import. Sometimes, even a small revision involving a word or phrase can be consequential, especially in overarching chapters such as Chapter 1 Administration, Chapter 3 Definitions, or Chapter 4 Basic Methodology. These chapters govern the rest of the document. Occasionally, the meaning of a revision cannot fully be understood without consulting the revision history and the committee7 statement. And sometimes, the full impact of either small or large revisions cannot be assessed until they have been implemented in practice or considered by the courts. With this in mind, let us proceed.

2. "Concepts are Presented at an Elementary Level" — Removed

Chapter 1 Administration defines the scope, purpose, and application of NFPA 921. Since the 2008 edition of NFPA 921, the "Application" section has contained a caution that many of the scientific or engineering concepts are presented at an introductory8 or elementary9 level, thus noting that it may be necessary to utilize other resources in an investigation. Even though it was true, stating that concepts were presented at an elementary level afforded a potential opportunity to undermine the opinions of someone relying exclusively on NFPA 921. Where an investigator failed to consult materials beyond NFPA 921, this caution provided fodder for criticism or cross-examination.The 2021 edition removed this caution. Here is legislative text showing how the 2021 edition was revised from the 2017 edition:1.3.5 This document is not intended as a comprehensive

scientific or engineering text. Although many scientific and engineering concepts are presented within the text, the user is cautioned that these concepts are presented at an elementary level and additional technical resources, training, and education may often need to be utilized in an investigation.

Thus, the committee removed the caveat that NFPA 921 presents concepts at an elementary level, while retaining the recommendation that additional resources "may often need to be utilized in an investigation." This is the committee's substantiation for this change:

Overall the document has grown to discuss topics beyond the elementary level. When NFPA 921 was first published in 1992 it had 120 pages. The 2017 edition has 426. Stating that the concepts are presented an elementary level does a disservice to the document itself and those who work to improve it and the fire investigation industry. Furthermore, NFPA 1033 [Standard for Qualifications for Fire Investigator] 1.3.7 states that an investigator must have and maintain basic knowledge of 16 topics beyond the high school level. NFPA 1033 A.1.3.7 states that knowledge on the 16 subjects can

CONTENTS1. Introduction2. "Concepts are Presented at an Elementary Level" — Removed3. New, Revised, and Deleted Definitions

4. Is it Always Necessary to Develop "More than One Hypothesis?"5. Measurement Uncertainty and False Precision

6. Ceiling Layer and Upper Layer Are Not Synonymous7. Chapter 6 Rewritten to Employ the Scientific Method8. Arc Mapping Subsumed under Fire Patterns9. Chapter 14 Sources of Information Rewritten

10. Limitations on the Use of Unconfirmed Canine Alerts as

Evidence11. Classification of Cause Chapter Deleted12. Wildfire Investigations Chapter – Why No Revisions?13. Accessing the 2021 Edition14. Conclusion

Acknowledgements